The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-10-07
A Woman of the People,

The New York World correspond.
ent writing of Mrs. Cleveland's pleas
ures and ways at Marion, tells this
little story:
Many are the odd characters who
come here from the surrounding coun-
try places, hoping to see Mrs. Cleve-
land. They are mostly quiet and in
offensive, aud seldom give the object
of their admiration any reasonable
cause for complaint. A large portion
of them are farmers with their famil-
les, who drive into town from all di-
rections, and the interest they take in
the Presidents wife is almost pathetic
rather than droll. for to many of them
the little journey and feeting glimpses
they may chance to get of her are the
events of lifetime.
One of the strangest and at the same
time most touching incidents of this
nature occurred yesterday morning.
Two deaf and dumb people, an old
gentlemon and his wife, came in on
tho train, and by writing on pad of
paper, contrived to let it be known
they wanted to be shown Mrs. Cleve-
lands house. The Worlds correspon-
dent offered his services as "guide,
philosopher and friend" for this oo-
casion only. The three stepped into a
waiting carriage and drove away, the
correspondent holding a written con-
versation and showing the place all at
once. Their strange, mysterious sill
ence was eloquent of delight and pleas
ure as their guide pointed out Captain
Hadley's House, showed them the tiny
beach where Mrs. Cleveland bathes,
Mr. elders house, the town below
the church where she attended service,
and other places of interest
As we were returning to the station
we met Mrs. Cleveland and her friends
walking down to the landing. We
were driving rapidly, and the guide
did not notice her until she had bowed,
with pleasant good morning. He
had had no time to prepare the minds
of his charges, and passed her without
their knowing it.
He explained the matter TO them at
once, and they wers full of excitement.
So we turned, drove back, and turned
again, in order that they might see her,
Some carriages came along just then,
so that we were compelled to drive
slowly, and so close TO her that the
guide felt an apology was necessary,
and so said:
"Please excuse me, Mrs. Cleveland,
but these are two unfortunates, both
deaf and dumb, who have come long
distance just to look upon you for an
instant" She was then standing close
to the carriage, and bowed and smiled
in her sweetest and most gracious man
ner, saying:
81 am sure / am very glad to SCI
them" The gentleman removed hi
hat aud bowed in very courtly fash
ion, and his wifes face beamed 81
much pleasure as she returned Mrs
Cleaveland's bow that she must hav,
been happy to confer go much joy i,
80 simple a manner. More smiles
more stately bows, and we drove on.
The simple, unaffected manners ant
the deep kindness of heart which Mrs
Cleveland shows in little things to al
about her, especially to old people
children, and to those who might b
6 said to be in lower station of life
endears her to everybody and demon
strates that the President could nc
,, have sent out a better vote-getter tina
his wife has proved to be. 1t is thi
sincere Kindness of disposition whio
lies at the root of many of the gracefv
things she does, which enables her t
! : meet every one with so much tact, an
d to say and do always the right thin
in the right place.